Vera Pauw leaves the Houston Dash

Pauw served as the Dash's head coach for one season

BY Celia Balf September 20, 2018
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Vera Pauw led the Dash to a 9-10-5 overall record in 2018. (Photo credit: Jane Gershovich/isiphotos.com)

Houston Dash head coach Vera Pauw has stepped down from her position with the organization, the club announced on Thursday. Pauw did not seek a new contract with the team to return to her home in the Netherlands to be closer to her family.

After her one season with the Dash, Pauw’s side earned nine wins this year and finished the regular season at 9-10-5 and 32 points, good for sixth place in the league standings.

“While the Houston Dash is a phenomenal club with huge potential and an amazing fan base, I have decided to not pursue a contract extension. Although we set club records in many categories and stayed in the playoff race until the final week of the season, it is best for me to go back to my husband in The Netherlands,” Pauw said in the Houston Dash’s press release.

“I thank club management for the ongoing support of the changes that had to be made. I leave a young team that is ready for the future. The foundation is set, and I wish the club the success it deserves.”

Before coaching in Houston, Pauw coached the South African Women’s National Team through the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, as well as the 2014 Confederation of African Football Women’s Championship. She also served as the technical director for the Russian women’s national team and spent a short role as an interim head coach for Russia. She was also the head coach for her home nation of the Netherlands and Scotland. Prior to her coaching days, Pauw also earned 89 caps for the Netherlands before she retired in 1998.

Houston Dash president Chris Canetti and Dash Managing Director Brian Ching will lead the search process for the next head coach along with overseeing the team. The search for Houston’s new head coach will begin immediately.